really? it's january? (part 2 of 2)

so as i was saying...

we only had about a week on campus during December between our visa renewal and the university holiday.
not too much to really speak of during that week, things went as normal from what i could remember.

part way through that week david left to head back to the States for medical school interviews. this 2 week stretch was the long period of time i think i have ever lived on my own before. really though. i dont think i've ever lived in a house/apartment alone for 2 solid weeks. fortunately everything turned out just fine. the girls here invited me over quite a bit and i had some students hang out here afew nights and i managed not to burn down our concrete apartment building.

the first Sunday of the break we had a Christmas party with the students which was a blast. we played "pin the nose on rudolph" and the girls baked some amazing christmas cookies. good times were had by all.

and for the next 3 weeks leading up to christmas we watched alot of our favorite christmas cookies and decorated the apartments which was also alot of fun and provided some good bonding time for the 5 of us(at least during the times when we were all together).

the week of christmas 2 of our teammates returned from the US and the christmas festivities continued.

on christmas eve we hung out and watched christmas episodes of the Office and ate christmas cookies. and on christmas day we celebrated together with huge breakfast and opened presents together.

afew interesting notes abotu Venezuelan Christmases--
-Venezuelan boys and girls receive presents from santa AND baby jesus(he puts them under the nativity).
-they decorate with alot of the same decorations as we do in the US. i.e. snowmen, snowflakes, ice sickle lights, yet it does not snow here.
-christmas eve is the bigger day then christmas as far as family gatherings and such are concerned.
-everything shuts down for atleast the week until after new years(which is also a huge day/night here in VZ)
- it was 95 degrees F here on christmas day if i have not already mentioned that.

for christmas david and i finally got a couch for our apartment which rocks! its no longer just a dull, empty space. i also started myself an itunes account which may be the end of me...

all in all it was a fun christmas and one that i will never forget, but very different.


after christmas activities died, venezuelas attention is focused towards new years eve.
there are fireworks ever night going off throughout the city(mostly the loud, annoying kind which in turn set off carm alarms which aare also loud and annoying). our new years eve here was particularly special because we were invited to spend it with a student and her family.

the family was so kind and welcoming to us. they fed us traditional venezuelan new years foods like hallacas, pan de jamon, and chicken salad( i cant remember what they call it) and we got to partake in some fun venezuelan traditions(eating 12 grapes at the stokes of the clock on midnight, more fireworks, seeing people run around with thier suitcases.)


all in all it was one of the most memorable holiday seasons that i have had thus far in my 23 years of life. though it was difficult to be away from family and friends who i am so used to seeing around this time, it was a great experience to see and learn how other people celebrate these same days in the world. new years was especially cool, being invited into a home and welcomed to celebrate with a family was a great pleasure and so much fun, and the food was really good too.

with that said i should be going. im exhausted form just having returned from a leaders retreat in the city of Merida(which i will write about soon). Those 12 hour bus rides through the night leave much to be desired...


matt